Indiana farmers battling withered crops and high hay prices will gather in Vigo County to discuss ways to minimize the losses caused by the drought sweeping the state.
Purdue University agricultural experts say crops are just weeks away from being total losses unless significant rainfall occurs. Some crops already are beyond saving.
The Tribune-Star reports (http://bit.ly/Oohbqe ) only 9 percent of the state's corn crop is considered good to excellent. That's down from 41 percent this time last year.
Some farmers are considering cutting their corn crops to use as cattle feed, but the lack of moisture has caused lethal levels of nitrate to accumulate in the plants. Purdue Extension Educator Jim Luzar says corn must be harvested as silage and allowed to ferment so the nitrate dissipates.
